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Biomedical subjects

J M Opitz

Publications and source records attributed to J M Opitz.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The developmental field concept.

Identical anomalies produced by such different causes as aneuploidy, gene mutation, teratogenic chemicals, and certain surgical procedures show that embryonic primordia respond as units in the production of anomalies of anatomical structure. Hence, they must also act as units during normal ontogeny. The presence of identical malformations in different mammalian species identifies developmental and anatomical homology by virtue of descent from a common ancestor. These dys- and orthomorphogenetically reactive units are the equivalents of the classical experimental embryologist's epimorphic fields, which are those units of the embryo in which the development of complex structures appropriate to the species is determined and controlled in a spatially coordinated, temporally synchronous, and epimorphically hierarchical manner that expresses both species-nonspecific (that is, phylogenetic) and species-specific genetically coded developmental information. Thus, there is some merit in taking a long view of development.

Animals↗

Ectopia cordis and cleft sternum: evidence for mechanical teratogenesis following rupture of the chorion or yolk sac.

We present case material and a literature survey to document the association between ectopia cordis and band disruption anomalies. The occurrence of thoracic ectopia cordis with a cephalic-pointing cardiac apex suggests an arrest of cardiac descent at 3 weeks of development, consistent with our finding of ectopia cordis in a 28-day human embryo. Mechanical compression secondary to rupture of the chorion and/or yolk sac at 3 weeks of gestation would interfere with normal cardiac descent and compress the chest, yielding thoracic and pulmonary hypoplasia. Congenital heart defects associated with ectopia cordis may represent deformations secondary to mechanical distortion of the developing heart following early rupture of the chorion and/or yolk sac. As is illustrated by our clinical specimens, tethering of the heart to periumbilical structures by bands could yield thoracoabdominal ectopia cordis. The milder anomaly of cleft sternum, which is also associated with band disruptions, may occur later in development following rupture of the chorion, yolk sac, or amnion.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Noonan syndrome: a review.

After an introduction dealing with the "historical evolution" of the Noonan syndrome (NS), we try to define the NS phenotype based on clinical descriptions published since 1883. The theories concerning the cause of the NS are discussed fully. The peculiar cardiac involvement deserves special attention and raises the question of whether the Watson and LEOPARD syndromes are indistinguishable from NS. Finally, the recent contributions to the variability of the NS phenotype (reports on lymphatic dysplasia, partial deficiency of factor XI, malignant hyperthermia, perceptual-motor disabilities, and endocrine evaluation) are also described.

Factor XI Deficiency↗

The Noonan syndrome.

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History, 20th Century↗

An X-linked recessive basal ganglia disorder with mental retardation.

We report a previously apparently undescribed, X-linked recessive basal ganglia disorder segregating in three generations of one family. The affected patients were variably mentally retarded, although some showed strengths in oral reading and memory. Most affected males had frontal bossing and increased head circumference with large calvaria in relation to facial bones. Their height and weight did not differ from that of other relatives; testicular size was average, chromosomes were normal, and results of laboratory investigations for known metabolic disorders were normal. All patients examined had neurological impairment, including persistent frontal lobe reflexes, cogwheel rigidity, postural changes, and Parkinsonian-type tremors. Some had strabismus; several had seizures. Although carriers of the condition were not consistently abnormal, two had suggestive signs. No definitive indication of the disorder was documented in infancy in any affected male, and it is possible that this could be due to lack of careful prospective clinical evaluation rather than to the absence of symptoms in early life.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗

Further comments on the lissencephaly syndromes.

Detailed clinical, pathological, and cytogenetic investigations of patients with lissencephaly over the past several years have demonstrated the existence of at least eight distinct conditions with variable genetic implications. In several of these disorders, especially chromosomally normal MDS, ILS, and CCL, too few patients have been reported to permit citation of accurate recurrence risk figures. Accordingly, we wish to begin a registry of patients with lissencephaly of all types for the purpose of developing such risk figures and request that any available information be sent to one of us (W.B.D. or J.M.O.).

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Hutterite cerebro-osteo-nephrodysplasia: autosomal recessive trait in a Lehrerleut Hutterite family from Montana.

We are reporting on two Lehrerleut Hutterite sisters who have a syndrome of congenital shortness with mild spondylorhizomelic dwarfism; later failure to thrive, ie deceleration of weight gain presumably due to CNS-based severe feeding problems; a CNS defect, probably developmental (not biochemical) with normal prenatal brain growth but later deceleration from 50th to 2nd centile associated with severe mental retardation and decorticate disturbances of neurologic function; and possible renal involvement with terminal nephrotic syndrome. This seems to be a previously undescribed pleiotropic autosomal recessive trait.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Disequilibrium syndrome in Montana Hutterites.

This is a preliminary note on the occurrence of the disequilibrium syndrome (DES) in the Dariusleut Hutterites of Montana. Previously the condition was reported in the Dariusleut of Alberta by Schurig et al [1981] as an autosomal recessive, non-progressive neurological disorder with congenital hypotonia, considerable psychomotor retardation, unsteady broadly based gait and stance, increased deep tendon reflexes, and mild to moderate mental retardation. Affected individuals were short. In the Montana family studied by us in 1981, a brother and three sisters are affected.

Consanguinity↗

NOR activity and centromere suppression related in a de novo fusion tdic(9;13)(p22;p13) chromosome in a child with del(9p) syndrome.

A female infant with del(9p) syndrome was found to have the karyotype 45,XX,tdic(9;13)(p22;p13) de novo. In the translocation chromosome, various combinations of AgNOR activity and inactivity were found with suppression of either the 9 or neither centromere. These phenomena of discontinuous centromeric suppression and variation in NOR activity in the one chromosome were scored on AgNOR, GTG, and a combination of AgNOR- and GTG-banded preparations. With AgNOR staining, 15.8% tdic chromosomes were AgNOR-positive, and this coincided (in preparations with GTG banding only) with 16% tdic chromosomes with a nonstaining gap present at the NOR site. This suggested that when the NOR-nonstaining gap was present the AgNOR staining would be positive; this was confirmed by the absence of gaps in combination AgNOR-GTG-banded preparations. In cells with tdic-NOR-negative chromosomes, equal proportions of cells with the 13 or both centromeres constricted were observed, but in cells with tdic-AgNOR-positive chromosomes there was only half the proportion of tdic chromosomes with both centromeres constricted; ie, there was a (significant) tendency towards inactivity of the NOR when both centromeres were constricted in the tdic chromosome. Therefore, the 2 phenomena, variation in NOR activity and centromeric suppression, are interrelated in this case.

Centromere↗

An autosomal dominant syndrome of short stature with mesomelic shortness of limbs, abnormal carpal and tarsal bones, hypoplastic middle phalanges, and bipartite calcanei.

This paper describes seven persons in a family affected with an autosomal dominant syndrome of short stature with mesomelic shortness of upper and lower limbs, abnormal carpal and tarsal bones, hypoplastic or absent middle phalanges of hands and feet, and delayed coalescence of bipartite calcanei. All affected relatives are of normal intelligence, are free of eye problems, and have a normal skull, spine, shoulders, and hips. The digits of the hands and feet are short, broad, and angulated. The hypoplastic or absent middle phalanges effectively result in one interphalangeal joint for each digit, with decreased mobility. The bones of the carpus and tarsus coalesce with increasing age. None of the previously described syndromes or brachydactylies encompasses the findings noted in this kindred.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Autopsy findings in a stillborn female infant with the Osebold-Remondini syndrome.

The Osebold-Remondini syndrome is a bone dysplasia with mesomelic shortness of limbs and, hence, shortness of stature, absence or hypoplasia of second phalanges with synostosis of the remaining phalanges, carpal and tarsal coalitions, and apparently no other anomalies. This is an autosomal dominant condition. In the family described by Osebold et al [1985], a female infant with the Osebold-Remondini syndrome was still-born. Cause of fetal death could not be determined, and, at the moment, cannot be assumed to be a pleiotropic manifestation of this gene. The skeletal abnormalities in the infant are described and illustrated. Histologic structure of bone (proximal femur, vertebral bodies, iliac crest, and costal junctions) was studied by light and electronmicroscopy. Several histologic and ultrastructural abnormalities found suggest that the Osebold-Remondini syndrome may involve more generalized anomalies of bone development than the clinical picture might suggest.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: report of four cases in two families and review of the literature.

Four cases of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) from two families with first cousins affected in family and siblings in another are presented. The pathological findings, including neuropathology, transmission (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are discussed. This is the first study of this condition to include TEM and SEM. One hundred and fifty-nine cases from the literature, including the author's four cases, are reviewed. The familial occurrence in 116 instances in sibships and consanguinity in 13 of the 73 families support autosomal-recessive inheritance. In five families there were affected first cousins--an observation not readily explained by autosomal-recessive transmission. We suggest that the genetic aspects of FHL be more fully explored and that in future cases parents and other relatives be included in the hematologic, immunologic, and genetic evaluation.

Blood Cells↗

Omenn disease: termination in lymphoma.

Two brothers with Omenn's disease were seen at the University of Wisconsin. The first died at 3 months. The second developed a chronic measles infection from vaccination with a live virus to which he did not produce an antibody. He received transfer factor and irradiated leukocyte infusions without benefit. After death a lymphoma was found in virtually all tissues. It is unclear whether the treatment predisposed the child to or caused the cancer. Omenn's disease is an autosomal-recessive disorder of the immune system that leads to early death. The pathogenesis remains unknown.

Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell↗